Apr 16, 2011
Husbands, love your wives…
Posted by Michael Howarth in Gospel Living | Comments (0)
In our culture, work is a primary provider of identity. This is evident in our values, the pace at which we live, and the behavior we reward.
For men, job-identity is an especially large problem. We are saturated with the belief that our accomplishments define us. When challenged on this issue by our wives we utter the seemingly invincible retorts: “I do it for you!” or “Somebody has to pay the bills!” or the classic Christian crane-kick: “God has called me to this!”
Men, if you're married, your job is husband. Husband defines you. Husband is your identity. Good husbands provide for, protect, and disciple their family. That means giving, repenting, giving, confronting, confessing, giving, forgiving, healing, and giving. Always giving, never giving up. It means getting in the ring every day, leaving blood on the mat, fighting for your family. Most or all of the blood will be yours because your opponent is mostly yourself.
One aspect of this fight is working and making money. Just one. It is a big one and an important one, but it is not all of you. Your job does not define you. It is not your identity. Your wife is first. She comes before your job. She comes before your ministry. She comes before your hobby and she comes before your friends. She comes before you. She even comes before your children, for as the late Dr. Ed Cole has said:
“The most important thing a father can do for his children is love their mother.”
But what about God? Doesn't He come before my wife? you ask.
Yes, He does. And when you pray to Him seeking guidance and direction, priority and vision, He will put her face before you as a reminder that, above all else, He has entrusted you with her heart.
Posted by Michael Howarth in Gospel Living
